Ch-2:
We Can Choose To Be Happy:
Internal and External Routes to Happiness
Part 4
Tom G. Stevens PhDPsychologist/Professor Emeritus, California State University, Long Beach
Send Feedback/Questions to: Tom.Stevens@csulb.edu
You Can Choose To Be Happy:
Site dedicated to enhancing human happiness, self-development, and success
SITE MAP: All free Self-help resources includes online book, You Can Choose To Be Happy, and SHAQ
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Go to Happy Homepage
Go to book contents Go to chapter contents
Which chapters connect with problems you find?
WHAT NEXT?
Sometimes, when an underlying problem has been identified, you will find a solution that seems obvious. At other times, you may say to yourself, "Yea, now I know what the problem is, but what can I do about it?"
We have many different kinds of underlying problems. I have organized this book around some of the key issues and problems that affect our happiness the most. You will find many tools for converting negative emotions into happiness. Think of this book as your happiness toolbox.
Use the following table to help you locate chapters that can help you with a particular type of problem. If you cannot find a specific problem you are currently dealing with, remember that behind this important surface problem probably lies an even more important underlying issue that is affecting your happiness in many situations.
Before writing this book, I made a list of the most common deep issues underlying most problems presented to me by my hundreds of clients. These chapters are organized around most of those deep issues. If you use the self-exploration process and uncover a deep festering sore, you will find the medicine for many of life's basic issues in these chapters.
Reference for coping with some life problems
Problems with: Go to chapter:
1.Confusion, conflict, lack of direction or meaning to life 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
2.Pessimism, stressful events, or a negative world view 4, 3
3.Self-esteem, self-confidence, or negative self-talk 5
4.External control, dependency, non-assertiveness 6
5.Anxiety, anger, depression, or any negative emotion 7,8, 2, Appendix
6..Accomplishing goals, time-management, achievement 9
7..Relationships, intimacy, or communication 6, 3, 5, 4, Appendix
8.Making decisions and solving problems 2, 6
Negative emotions tell us of these inner problems.
Yet so often we treat these negative emotions as if they were
enemies--
instead of friends.
If we are to find happiness,
we must not avoid these helpful beacons of light
from our innermost selves.
Instead, we must follow our strongest emotions
to get to the source of the problems or conflicts.
Using the self-exploration/problem-solving method
can transform conflicts and confusion into inner harmony.
It is at the heart of all good psychotherapeutic approaches.
We can learn to be our own therapists
and effectively solve most problems ourselves.
Knowing that there are many routes to happiness (in any situation)
gives us peace of mind and inner power.
Then, we can choose to be happy
by picking the best internal and external routes to happiness
for that particular situation.
The BOOK (free download): Go to Contents of Dr. Stevens' book, You Can Choose To Be Happy: "Rise Above" Anxiety, Anger, and Depression.
SELF-HELP INFORMATION: FREE SELF-HELP materials available on this web site (click here to see list)
ORDERING the BOOK: How to ORDER You Can Choose To Be Happy
SHAQ QUESTIONNAIRE: Free Success and Happiness Attributes Questionnaire (SHAQ) to assess self on many factors including HQ-Happiness Quotient
EMAIL DR. STEVENS: Email feedback to Dr. Stevens tstevens@csulb.edu I welcome your comments about my web site or any of its contents.
Self-Help and other resources on this website (and site map)
Web site created and maintained by: Tom G. Stevens PhD Psychologist-Faculty Emeritus,
California State University, Long Beach Counseling and Psychological Services.
URL of this web site: http://home.csulb.edu/~tstevens
HOME PAGE: Return to Dr. Stevens' Home Page